A man was killed and another is on the run after a traffic stop and chase ended in a crash late Saturday night, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
GSP Sgt. Tim Meyer said the Athens post of the State Patrol was notified around 11:25 p.m. Saturday of a pursuit involving a passenger vehicle and units with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office.
"The pursuit had proceeded through Winder towards Statham and at some point doubled back towards Winder," Meyer said. "The fleeing suspect traveled along [SR] 53...the pursuit turned towards Athens on [GA] 316 and around the Barrow/Oconee County line, the State Patrol trooper was able to intercept the pursuit and become the primary pursuer."
Meyer said law enforcement tried to stop the pursuit with spike strips, but the suspect vehicle was able to avoid them and continue on towards Athens. A PIT maneuver on eastbound GA-316 near McNutt Creek eventually ended the chase.
"The suspect vehicle rolled over off the south shoulder and an occupant was ejected and deceased at the scene," Meyer said.
Meyer said investigators believe a second occupant of the vehicle ran from the site of the crash.
"We made a diligent search in the area using K-9s and helicopters. We do have reason to believe he was picked up a local gas station," Meyer said.
At this point, investigators do not know if the deceased suspect was the driver or the passenger in the car. The man's identity will not be made public until family members are notified.
Meyer said Barrow County deputies told GSP the chase started as the result of a traffic violation.
AccessWDUN's Scott Kimbler contributed to this report.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/5/672790/man-killed-in-chase-with-law-enforcement-in-barrow-oconee-counties